Alliance Health Center’s new program offers innovative option for patients with addictions

MERIDIAN—Alliance Health Center recently unveiled its innovative New Leaf Recovery Program, a comprehensive alcohol and drug treatment service that treats patients with a primary diagnosis of substance abuse and if applicable, a secondary mental health diagnosis, such as depression or bipolar disease.

“The goal is simple: to turn lives around from the consequences of addiction toward productive lives,” said Alliance CEO Bill Patterson. “Addiction is a disease that touches all who come in contact, so we believe the beneficiaries are all the residents of our community. We urge support by encouraging those in need to seek assistance.”

Coordinated and directed by Betsy H. Storms, PhD, under the medical supervision of Jessica Gordon, MD, the 30-day partial hospitalization program may be adapted to in-hospital boarding or an outpatient program, according to individual needs. 

“Before creating New Leaf, the hospital offered detox services, as well as a short in-patient stay for patients with alcohol and drug problems,” explained Storms. “Our partial program can now serve many more individuals with addiction problems, as well as offering the in-hospital boarding component that’s necessary for many patients of this type. We strongly recommend boarding. It’s better if addicts are away from any temptations.”

Storms knows of what she speaks. After admitting that she needed help with addiction 29 years ago – and sober since then – she completed a 12-step program and the educational process allowing her to help others, mainly women, with their addiction struggles. 

“Through those 29 years of sobriety, I’ve found many things I needed to change in my life,” said Storms, who is also owner of Best of Both Worlds Addiction Center. “My goal is to help others realize the changes they need to make in their own lives to stay clean and sober. But first, they must get honest and admit to themselves that they have a drug or alcohol problem.”

New Leaf Recovery Center was developed locally at Alliance Hospital in Meridian, with a staff that includes a psychiatrist, nurse, secondary counselor and four patient care coordinators. The format includes intensive group therapy and also individual and family therapy. The program also centers on the 12-step program, with patients attending daily sessions and also participating in activity and art therapy.

“It’s a very comprehensive program that offers an array of services,” Storms said. “This 30-day program that includes 20 hours a week of therapy to help patients discover the lives they truly want to lead. As patients progress in the program, they can step down to fewer hours of therapy. As we continue to develop, there may be other New Leaf facilities.”

Alliance renovated a wing of the hospital to create a very warm, inviting and safe environment for patients. For example, woodland green-painted hospital walls replace the sterile white coating; full-length patterned drapes replace window-size blinds. Animal print carpeting livens up typically dull Berber flooring. Club chairs in red and navy brighten the space and make seating more comfortable.

Assessments are offered at no charge and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Healthcare providers with a potential patient or requesting further information may call Alliance Health Center, a 154-bed acute care psychiatric and chemical dependency hospital.

“When your patient has completed the program, he or she will be sent back to you for follow up and you’ll receive a copy of the discharge summary,” said Storms.

Medicare , Tricare and most private insurance companies pay a significant portion of the cost. The typical co-pay is usually 20 to 30 percent; the boarding cost averages $30 per day. The cash cost of the 30-day program is $6,000, said Storms.

“At present, we’ve admitted 110 patients to the program,” said Storms, of the 20-bed wing. “Approximately 95 patients have completed the program. Most of our referrals come from detox centers, hospitals, group homes, as well as our own hospital.  We also get referrals from other medical providers.”

The best response: “We’re getting very good feedback,” said Storms, “from our patients who go back into the community.”

Alliance Health Center is also home to The Crossings, a 60-bed residential treatment facility for adolescents.

For more information on the New Leaf Recovery Program, call the Alliance Health Center at (601) 483-6211, extension 750.

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